Why don't people start posting?

[Andy Baker]

Originally posted by Jessica Boucher
My posts were totally unlike the ones of the caliber of Ken & Matt L, or the standards, such as Andy Baker or Mike Martus or Joe J, who always post something intelligent, always are bringing new information to the table. They are the ones that keep this forum going, and we should all strive to post like that, at least occasionally.

Jessica,

You are too nice. Thanks for your kind words.

Although you don't post too often anymore, please keep it up. You are a good role model for young females on all FIRST teams (sometimes known as "robot chicks").

By the way, I saw a personnel notice about some bigwig executive in Delphi the other day, and he was from Babson. I forget who it was... if I run across the notice, I'll send you the info.

Andy B.

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by Jessica Boucher
I realise now that a lot of my posts were emotion-driven fluff. But it's in the past, I can't change it. Thats why I only sporadically post, to maybe add in a comment that hadn't been said. My posts were totally unlike the ones of the caliber of Ken & Matt L, or the standards, such as Andy Baker or Mike Martus or Joe J, who always post something intelligent, always are bringing new information to the table. They are the ones that keep this forum going, and we should all strive to post like that, at least occasionally.

Ok, I'm done.

Believe it or not, a lot of my messages are also emotional-driven... But I usually find myself feeling the need to reply something, then takes a long time thinking through what I really want to say, and during all those time calmed myself down quite a bit and start changing around the message I am going to post. And, from time to time I argue myself out of posting any reply at all.

To me, I value how this place gives me a chance to spend time thinking about different issue related to FIRST, whether they directly affect me or not, more so than the discussion itself. That and my writing skills seem to improve as well.

But anyways, after being in this forum a long time, I start to see the same topics coming up again and again. When I come up with a long message about one of those topics, it felt like I am ahead of everyone else (because I've read conclusions of previous discussion about the same topic). So, I stop saying as much to let the newer posters have a discussion of their own. I think it will be better for people like me to keep quite from time to time and give a chance for new people to show how much they know, and let them go through the learning experience the way we did when we started.

So, that is why I stop saying as much as I used to. But I don't think people really need to keep saying things to have a good experience in here. A lot of visitors just look at important posts for some valuable information, and keep it to themselves or bring it to their team, and that is completely all right. Some of the visitors decided to register and start discussion with other people in here, and that is fine too. There will always be people in here posting messages. And, when there are unanswered questions, the standards will always be around to answer them.

I feel all right just reading messages these days. It lets me set out some time to think about this kind of issues. I am just glad I have something to say once a while, and lucky enough that I didn't mess up too much of those post. The best thing about this place is still the chance it gives me to know all these cool people from all over the country. I suggest you take advantage of that too.

And, hearing "I really enjoy what you said" kept me going all the time, so be sure to thank the posters if you learn something from them. Send them a private message or e-mail, IM's...

Do what you feel like. Take however much you can out of this place. Have fun reading all the posts, especially once competition starts. The real world is pretty big out there too... So consider this a bonus part of FIRST.

[Jim McGeehin]

First of all, CheifDelphi forums are great. Why anyone would not post at this particular one is beyond me.

However, a couple reasons why people don't post at a general bulletin board would be:

1. They don't want to find a topic that they're interested in.

Maybe some just want to see one thing and then stop.

2. They feel as they are not contributing.

Their opinions have been sent and resent to the topic. Anymore would just be annoyingly repetitive.

3. They want to just be informed

People that want to read, but not write.

Oh well, just some random musings. Regard or disregard them at your discretion.

Cheers

[Patrick Wang]

You'll notice how many people view the posts.

I remember the first few weeks after becoming more active with the boards, there is so much information to absorb.

*basks in the aura of many bright engineers*

I suppose it all boils down to how people learn. It takes a while before you are comfortable enough to express your opinion, especially when you are a midget standing among giants.

I'll admit, that I do dive into the boards somewhat haphazardly, sometimes to obvious error or without a direction.

But that's just me.

Hope that sheds a little light on the why people don't post.

[Jeff Waegelin]

It took me a long time to make my first (no pun intended) post. Throughout the 2001 season, I would browse the CD forums often, but for whatever reason, I could not bring myself to post. Then, finally, along came the off-season, and with it an affliction I like to call "Robotics Withdrawal Syndrome." To combat RWS, I took up posting on CD. I felt it necessary at first to comment on everything, even if it was only "I agree" or "Wow." Now, I can't seem to go 12 hours without checking CD. I even browse the forums in my 4th hour Computer Programming class.

-Jeff

PS: I finally noticed I am now a "senior member." Yay!

[Matt Attallah]

Eh,

Normally I post, but I keep it short and sweet. I dislike to write longs things. Mabye that is why i am only getting a C in English, but any who-there are my simple words!

[Tom Fairchild]

Couldn't agree with you more, Jeff. I definitly know how you feel about reading all throughout 2001 and only starting to post during the off season. Gotta get something to ease you down - cold turkey inhales audibly!

~Tom Fairchild~, who doesn't like to write very long posts, but does like sticking a short phrase on the end of his signature each time.

[Christina]

In the beginning for me, I felt like there wasn't anything I could say that would contribute to the discussion. Hmm...even now I'm not sure if I really "contribute" to the discussion, but that's besides the point. So, it took me a little while to actually start to post on the forum. I read a lot of posts on the old forum, but I didn't post all that much. When this new forum came, that's when I really started to post. And quite honestly, most of my posts came from the chit chat forum. Now, I post to more relevent discussions when I feel like I have something that might help someone or to just give my opinion on something. For me, posting was something I had to slowly get into. And, hey, out of the bunch of posts I make, I figure, at least a few of them have to have some kind of valid point or some sort of useful information.

~Christina